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Claremont Museum > Records

Annabelle Rankin, Dorothy and Nell Tangney

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1952

Overview

Dorothy Tangney in a frock and hat seated at a table with tea service. Her sister Nell is on her right and Senator Annabel Rankin on her left, with two ladies standing behind them. Curtains, floral arrangements and emblem on the wall in the background

Historical information

(Dame) Dorothy Margaret Tangney (1907-1985), a passionate social justice advocate and an active member of the Australian Labour Party, became Australia's first female Senator and represented WA in Canberra. Was the first woman to join a Federal Parliamentary Committee on being elected a member of the Joint Committee on Social Security.

Made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1968.

(Dame) Annabelle Jane Mary Rankin DBE (1908–1986) was an Australian politician and diplomat. She was the first woman from Queensland elected to parliament.

She was the second woman elected to the Senate, after Dorothy Tangney. Rankin was the Liberal Party's chief whip from 1947 to 1950 and from 1951 to 1966.

As High Commissioner to New Zealand from 1971 to 1974, she was the first woman to head an Australian mission overseas.

Appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on 13 June 1957 for political and public services.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-28--4-114-a

Item type

Inscriptions and markings

On the rear [Sen Annabel Rankin Dorothy & Nell Canberra 1952].

Year

Links to additional resources

Claremont Museum.

Last modified

Wednesday, 3 September, 2025

Completeness

94

Copyright and Reference

Copyright and Reference

Permissions

For authorisation to reproduce, publish or display, please contact the Claremont Museum.

Attribution requirements

Acknowledgements to be made to 'Claremont Museum 04.114a'.

Copyright holder

Claremont Museum, Town of Claremont, Western Australia, 6010

Claremont Museum

Claremont Museum

Organisation details
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Annabelle Rankin, Dorothy and Nell Tangney

Annabelle Rankin, Dorothy and Nell Tangney
Source: Claremont Museum 04.114a

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